Cold winter days leave us longing for the summer. But the hot, humid summer is equally challenging for the skin. Dry skin is especially in danger of developing patches and small cracks during the summer that may lead to premature aging signs.
Cold winter days leave us longing for the summer. But the hot, humid summer is equally challenging for the skin. Dry skin is especially in danger of developing patches and small cracks during the summer that may lead to premature aging signs.
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If you have dry skin, read on to learn how to adequately care for dry skin care in the summer.
Hydration is the biggest challenge for dry skin. The burning sun, heat, and lots of sweating during the summer don’t help. To keep the skin healthy, hydrated, and well-nourished, follow these summer skin care tips for dry skin.
Eight glasses of water is the average amount you need to drink every day—except in summer. During hot days when you’re losing more moisture due to heat and sweating, you need to up your daily water intake. Have a water bottle with you at all times and sip at least every half hour.
Cleansing is an important step in the skin care routine because it removes dirt, sweat, grime, and dead cells that accumulate during the day or overnight. However, be careful not to strip your skin of natural oils and overdry it.
Use gentle, oil-based cleansers with vitamin E, aloe vera, or cucumber that maintain the right moisture levels. Avoid foaming or gel formulas that strip natural oils, and limit cleansing to once or twice daily using lukewarm water rather than hot, which can worsen dryness. Follow immediately with a hydrating toner or moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture before the summer heat pulls it away.
Dry skin needs season-appropriate moisturizers. Since the skin loses a lot of moisture during the summer, look for lightweight serums with potent moisturizing agents like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and B vitamins. If your skin is extra dry, always carry a face mist and spray it on your face several times a day.
Apply your moisturizer in layers, starting with the lightest consistency first, and opt for gel-cream hybrids that hydrate without feeling heavy in the heat. Avoid heavy creams or occlusive balms during the day, saving those for your nighttime routine when your skin is in repair mode.
Never leave the house during the summer without sunscreen. Use products that are labeled “broad spectrum” and include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients protect the skin from both types of UV rays and UVA and UVB. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 30.
For dry skin specifically, choose a sunscreen with a moisturizing base containing hyaluronic acid or glycerin so it pulls double duty while you’re out. Reapply every two hours, especially after sweating, and don’t skip areas like your neck and chest, which are just as prone to UV-triggered dryness.
Note: For more tips, check out our guide on how to choose a sunscreen.
Antioxidants are ingredients that increase the skin’s barrier function and protect it from the sun and toxins in the air.
Look for potent antioxidants like vitamin C and E in your day and nighttime moisturizing serums and creams. They protect the skin from harmful free radicals during the day and help the skin repair from free radical damage during the night.
Note: Learn more about the importance of antioxidants in skin care and discover products that will help you incorporate them into your routine.
Exfoliation is an important step in every summer skin care routine because it removes the buildup of dead cells and dirt that regular cleansing doesn’t. To avoid overdrying your skin, use gentle exfoliating products.
Stick to chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or PHA over harsh physical scrubs, as they dissolve dead cells without disrupting the skin’s moisture barrier. Limit exfoliation to once or twice a week and always follow with a rich hydrating serum to replenish what the process draws out.
People with very dry skin will benefit from hydrating face masks a few times a week. For best results, use it after exfoliation when the pores are clean and the nourishing ingredients in the face mask can penetrate deeper into the skin. Look for products with gentle hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, papaya, watermelon, and glycerin.
Note: For more product recommendations, check out our guide on summer skincare products.
An antioxidant-rich diet combined with proper skin care for dry skin ensures you’re protected from dehydration and the summer’s environmental pollutants from the inside out. Some examples of antioxidant-rich foods are berries, kale, red cabbage, and artichoke. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, and you can’t go wrong.
Sunscreen and antioxidants are powerful, but they don’t offer 100% protection against the burning sun. If you spend time outside during peak sun hours, wear a wide-brimmed hat and comfortable cotton clothes that cover your arms and legs.
Air conditioners suck moisture out of the air and cause dry skin, even in people with other skin types. If you spend a lot of time in an air-conditioned space, use a humidifier to avoid overdrying your skin.
Several factors may cause dry skin in the summer:
In addition to maintaining proper skin care and nutrition, avoid the following things to keep your skin hydrated, healthy, and radiant.
Dry skin may be the least severe skin issue resulting from exposure to direct sunlight. Try a smart alternative to sunbathing, like self-tanning lotions or tinted sunscreens that protect your skin from damaging sun rays and give it a tanned glow.
Avoid hot baths if you have dry skin. Hot water strips your skin of natural oils. Lukewarm or cold showers are appropriate (and refreshing!) during summer.
Alcohol dehydrates the body, leaving your skin dry and dull looking. Drink plenty of water whenever you consume alcohol to restore moisture levels in your body.
Eating lots of sugar, sodium, and carbs depletes water from the body, causing dehydration. Prolonged consumption of these foods leads to dry and patchy skin.
Caffeine is a well-known diuretic and has a dehydrating effect on the body. If you can’t limit your coffee intake, make sure you drink plenty of water to make up for the caffeine-related loss of moisture.
Your skin needs extra care during the summer. Regardless of your skin type, moisture loss during summer may lead to dry, dehydrated, and patchy skin. Tiny cracks in dry skin make it easier for pollutants to penetrate and cause infection and premature aging. To maintain smooth, healthy skin, follow our tips for proper skin hydration, nourishment, and protection during hot summer months.
If you want to learn more about dry skin, make sure to learn our article what causes dry skin and how to treat dry skin properly.
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